Drivers encouraged to prepare before traveling on busy, snowy roads this week

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- If you're doing any driving for the rest of the week, you can expect to be met with busier than usual roadways and winter weather conditions. 

According to AAA  2.2 million Wisconsinites plan to travel more than 50 miles over the weekend. 

That's about 100,000 more people than last year over the Christmas holiday.

"We expect Thursday and Friday to be very busy," said Nick Jarmusz AAA's director of public affairs. "You're going to have people who are still doing their weekday commutes mixing in with people that are getting a jumpstart on their holiday travels and of course this storm that's coming in and complicates all of that."

With the snowstorm expected to hit on the busiest holiday travel days, experts say it could put a wrench in some travelers' holiday plans. 

"People do really want to make these trips for the holidays and so they're going to wait until the last possible minute to see what the storm is doing how their roadways look and we really won't know until we're in the middle of it," said Jarmusz. 

AAA also reminds people to give yourself more drive time and give other vehicles more space. 

And Rishelle Eithun, a pediatric injury prevention manager with UW Health Kids, says make sure you're prepared before you load your family in the car.

"Inside your car having some extra blankets, some water, some snacks in case you do get stranded," said Eithun. 

And some items you didn't possibly consider. 

"Maybe sand, kitty litter in case you get stuck, a shovel," said Eithun. 

AAA says to avoid all of the chaos, you can always leave on Christmas eve or Christmas Day.